Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and San Dimas, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and San Dimas, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,831 in San Dimas, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,319 in San Dimas, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,806 in San Dimas, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 10% more than San Dimas, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and San Dimas, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, San Dimas, CA by 106%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$24.82 $24.82

-19.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$99.4 $99.4

-11.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$9.02 $9.02

46.67%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$6.07 $6.07

-3.46%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 $2.61

$3.44 $3.44

-24.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$3.09 $3.09

-24.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.95 $6.95

1.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$7.42 $7.42

24.66%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.43 $1.43

-6.29%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$4.68 $4.68

-10.47%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$7.17 $7.17

-23.29%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$5.20 $5.20

-9.42%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$19.10 $19.10

-22.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$14.46 $14.46

0.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$22.22 $22.22

-11.39%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$8.40 $8.40

-32.86%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.32 $3.32

-40.66%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$6.45 $6.45

-37.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$10.19 $10.19

-50.25%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.89 $2.89

1.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$4.84 $4.84

-39.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$3.52 $3.52

-35.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.71 $2.71

15.13%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$11.56 $11.56

40.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.93 $15.93

-4.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.30 $2.30

16.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$4.61 $4.61

-24.51%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.04 $2.04

24.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.87 $2.87

10.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.44 $2.44

-43.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$59.8 $59.8

-62.13%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.38 $1.38

-13.04%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$37.0K $37.0K

$37.3K $37.3K

-0.78%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.08%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$190 $190

$253 $253

-25.11%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$68.5 $68.5

$74.7 $74.7

-8.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$70.1 $70.1

-12.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.22 $41.22

54.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$14.19 $14.19

28.82%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,525 $1,525

$1,441 $1,441

5.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$37.5K $37.5K

-14.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$86.1 $86.1

-25.65%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$45.95 $45.95

18.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$78.8 $78.8

27.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$138 $138

10.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,580 $1,580

53.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,309 $1,309

29.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,533 $2,533

81.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,151 $2,151

29.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,804 $2,804

48.71%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,433 $2,433

12.55%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$3,995 $3,995

19.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.24

2.24%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for San Dimas, CA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,580 in San Dimas, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 20% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in San Dimas, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $563 – making Chicago, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs San Dimas, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,831 in San Dimas, CA – roughly 10% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,247 in San Dimas, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in San Dimas, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 in San Dimas, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,831 in San Dimas, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,831 in San Dimas, CA to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with San Dimas, CA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.